Paris Angels – in session for John Peel – Aug. 29, 1990 -BBC Radio 1 –
Paris Angels tonight. Paris Angels were a seven piece band, hailing from Guide Bridge, Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, associated with the Madchester scene of 1989 -1991. Their music fused indie guitars with electronic dance music. The band comprised Paul ‘Wags’ Wagstaff (later of Black Grape and the reformed Happy Mondays), Rikki Turner, Steven Taji, Scott Carey, Mark Adj, Jane Gill and Simon Worrall.
The band were regulars of the Boardwalk and Haçienda clubs in Manchester, and as such were heavily influenced by acid house and the nascent Madchester scene of the late 1980s.
The band first signed a recording contract with Sheer Joy Records. There they were introduced to producer Michael Johnson; the product was their most well known song “Perfume (All on You)”, a synthesis of 1960s jangle and disco. It was ‘single of the week’ in the NME and stayed in the Top 10 of the UK Indie Chart in the summer of 1990. This was closely followed by “Scope” and “I Understand”; the latter of which was the single of the week in the final edition of Sounds.
On the back of their early success, the band signed to Virgin Records and released new single “Fade” and re-released “Perfume” to back up Paris Angels only album, Sundew, to favorable reviews from NME, Vox and Melody Maker. Paris Angels then recorded a session for BBC Radio 1 disc jockey John Peel. “Stay”, appeared on the best of the Peel Session’s box set, and they had other radio and television sessions. In March 1991, NME reported that Paris Angels were appearing at the ‘Great Indie Festival – A Midsummer’s Day Dream’ at Milton Keynes Bowl in June that year. Also on the bill were 808 State, Gary Clail, New Fast Automatic Daffodils, The Shamen, Shades of Rhythm plus Flowered Up.
Paris Angels recruited long-time collaborator Simon Crompton to produce their next album for Virgin, however with the sale of Virgin to EMI, Paris Angels were removed from its roster. The completed album was never released. They were one of the last bands to leave during this cull along with Public Image Ltd and Definition of Sound.
Left with no recording contract, and with singer Jane Gill pregnant, the band called it a day.
Here is their first (and only) session for John Peel – recorded August 29, 1990 – Dive in and enjoy.
